SLIPPERY ROCK — Coach Bill Brown isn't buying it.

The California (Pa.) University basketball coach raised his eyebrows when he discovered his team was picked to finish first this season in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference West coaches poll.

"Right now, we are not the best team in the conference," Brown said. "We have a long way to go."

Cal took a beating against Tennessee in an exhibition game, losing 106-46. It was a humbling experience for Brown and his team.

"Now I know how Custer felt," Brown quipped. "The only difference was I got to go home at the end of the day."

Still, Cal has the talent to win the West, something the Vulcans have done seven of the last 11 seasons.

Following is a capsule preview of PSAC West teams:

California (Pa.)•

Coach: Bill Brown, 12th year•

Key players: James Hairston (8.5 ppg), Ron Banks (7.7 ppg)•

Team notes: Brown is the winningest coach in school history, posting a 230-91 record. ... Cal won its first NCAA regional game under Brown when it knocked off Wheeling Jesuit in overtime last season. ... Theron Colao scored 8.3 ppg off the bench last season and returns in that role again.

Edinboro•

Coach: Greg Walcavich, 19th year•

Key players: Joseph Jones (12.5 ppg), Ryan McLemore (6.4 ppg), Devon Knight (10.4 ppg)•

Team notes: The Fighting Scots have finished either first or second in the PSAC West each of the last seven seasons. They are predicted to finish second this season. ... Walcavich leads all active PSAC coaches with 484 career victories. ... Bobby Stauffer, who helped General McLane to state titles in basketball and football, joins the Scots this season. His father, Roy, is a member of the school's athletic Hall of Fame.

Clarion•

Coach: Ron Righter, 20th year•

Key players: Ricky Henderson (10 ppg), Josh Yanke (10.9 ppg), Demetrius Graham (4.1 ppg)•

Team notes: Clarion has made the playoffs in 10 of the last 11 seasons. ... Righter has a career record of 194-77 at Tippin Gym. ... Henderson played in just five games last season and average 10.2 rebounds before suffering a broken hand that ended his season..

Shippensburg•

Coach: David Springer, seventh year•

Key players: Ryan Kraft (injured in 06-07), Alex Jones (7.8 ppg)•

Team notes: Shipp lost eight seniors to graduation. The seniors won 69 games over a four-year span. ... The Red Raiders were 11-1 at home last season and are 37-3 in their home gym the last three years. ... Kraft was the PSAC West Rookie of the Year two years ago.

Indiana (Pa.)•

Coach: Joe Lombardi, second year•

Key player: Gerald Brooks (12.7 ppg)•

Team notes: IUPopens the season with eight of their first 10 games at home. ... Brooks was named PSAC West Rookie of the Year last season,

Lock Haven•

Coach: John Wilson Jr., ninth year•

Key players: Billy Arre (21.8 ppg), JustinWilson (10.9 ppg)•

Team notes: Arre was the PSAC West Player of the Year. He has surpassed 1,000 points in his career in just two seasons. ... Arre and Wilson combined to score 49 percent of the Bald Eagles' points last season.

Slippery Rock•

Coach: Jamal Palmer, second year•

Key player: Jamar Scales (12.1 ppg)•

Team notes: Scales scored 20 or more points four times last season ... The Rock is 7-47 in the last two seasons. ... SRU lost 12 of its last 13 games last season.